Cuz'N Camp ... Henion Style

My Henion grandparents (Harry Dexter and Else Marie Werner Henion) had a large family of 5 daughters and 3 sons, who in turn produced my 17 cousins.  Because my mother didn’t particularly like my dad’s side of the family, I saw very little of most of them when my brother Larry and I were growing up, but I have many happy memories of those few times we did get together … so it was a wonderful opportunity, when on our recent roadtrip, my cousin Coyia Nyland Keables organized her annual cousins luncheon to coincide with our trip to Washington State. On Wednesday, August 23, 2017 we gathered with Ken (June) and Don (Margie) Wheeler, sons of my Dad’s oldest sister Leodice Henion Wheeler;Clifford Elford, son of my Dad’s sister Eloise Henion Elford; Coyia and her mother Coral Henion Nyland, my Dad’s 4^th sister who just celebrated her 97^th birthday; and my brother Laurence David Henion and me. It was a delightful gathering and a fun opportunity to get caught up! 

Don (born in 1931) is the oldest of those who are left and Larry is the youngest. Several were unable to attend, including Leonard Elford, Mark Nyland and the three sons (Steve, Dexter and Adam Peter) of my dad’s youngest sister Lois Henion Clark.  Those who have gone on before us are Zanna Clark, Lois’s only daughter; Evelyn Elford and Barbara Elford Larsen, daughters of Eloise; Bruce Nyland, Coyia’s brother; LeRoy Bruenn; and 2-year-old Dudley Henion, son of my dad's brother Millard.

Seeing my beautiful Aunt Coral was icing on the cake. Because I had many Henion photos in my computer, she and I were able to spend time together laughing and crying over loved ones long since gone.

Visiting Doris and Dexter

Our three week “circuit” vacation began on Day One with a visit to Mom and Dad’s grave at the National Cemetery in Riverside, CA (Section 43 / Site 2210). It was the first time we’ve been to the gravesite since Mother passed away a year ago because we were prevented from reaching our destination three days after her death when SoCal's 2016 Blue Cut fire closed down the southbound I-15 freeway heading into Riverside County.

I must admit, seeing another proof my Mother is truly gone from mortality was a bit surreal but gave me final closure.

Now I have to work through my feelings - knowing what we know about the power of the Atonement - and decide if I will be sealed in the temple to my parents.  If I cannot forgive her for her actions towards me, I cannot expect the power of the Atonement to wipe away my sins, so I will begin the process and hope it leads me to the place I need to be!

Simeon and Steph Say "I Do" Forever

Simeon Lovell and Stephanie Shipley were married for time and eternity in the Mt. Tinpanogos Temple on Saturday, August 5. The ceremony was conducted by Elder Devn Cornish, formerly President of the Caribbean Area Office in the Dominican Republic (including the West Indies Mission) with about 40 friends and family members in attendance.

Brother and Sister Bassler had flown in from Atlanta and both Sim and Steph had former missionary companions in the company. Also present was Bishop Michael Bair and his family, including Selwin and Brianna Bair Lovell.

Following the ceremony, pictures, pictures and more pictures captured this important day, then on to lunch at the La Jolla Groves Restaurant in the Riverwoods Mall in Provo. The evening reception was held at the Springville Art Museum near Steph’s family home were the happy couple greated friends, family and former missionary companions.

Things to remember about this beautiful day:

*    Bringing a truckload of furniture to the kids’ apartment in Provo
*    Taking a truckload of “stuff” back to St. George, including a bed for Steph’s little sister, a student at Tuacahn High School … and all sorts of things for next week’s Open House in St. George
*    Helping Michael and Jessica finish the process of moving him out of his home in Pleasant Grove (whew!!! That was a tremendous amount of work).
*    Staying in the beautiful home of our good friends Bruce and Barbara Christensen
*    Running into Vicki Henderson in the temple.  She and her husband Bob are friends from our college days in Rexburg.

We are exhausted and ready to be home, but it was a wonderful weekend.